Sturgis Area Community Foundation announces the recipients of $14,976 in grant funding through its quarterly “Micro-Grant” program. Micro-grants are focused on delivering financial support for organizations seeking aid for smaller projects or initiatives of up to $5,000. Projects must benefit residents of the Sturgis area and St. Joseph County.

Congratulations to our Winter 2023 grant winners!

Rooted of St. Joseph County – Property Demolition

Rooted of St. Joseph County’s mission is to help children entering a traumatic transition with all their necessities, such as hygienic supplies, clothing, and shoes for all sizes and ages. Rooted has big plans to help foster children further by providing a central home location where kids may be taken during their transition time. Through the Rooted Home Campaign, their vision is to offer a warm and safe home in Centreville where a child can be cared for, and a case worker can take care of all the required work necessary.

Completing this project will take a village, so to help aid their goals, the Sturgis Area Community Foundation is proud to support their vision with a micro-grant to support the costs of property demolition. When Rooted’s dream home is complete, it will be a transition space for State workers to come together with volunteers to support them with all the goods they normally provide and assist with childcare.

Children’s Concerns of St. Joseph County – 39th International Symposium on Child Abuse

All children deserve childhoods free from all manner of sexual abuse and exploitation. Children’s Concerns of St. Joseph County has a mission to increase awareness among children about body safety and sexual abuse that can empower them to protect themselves. Advocates of the organization spend time educating school personnel on their role in recognizing, responding to, and reporting abuse.

As the world changes, so do the approaches required to educate younger generations on keeping themselves safe. Micro-grant funds will support instructors of Children’s Concerns with their professional development at the 39th International Symposium on Child Abuse. This conference is a unique opportunity for instructors to learn modern practices and receive new materials that will directly impact the programs presented at our local schools.

St. Joseph County Council for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect – Kinship Care Support Group

Kinship Care refers to the care of children by grandparents or close family relatives. Oftentimes, when a child enters foster care, child welfare agencies will first turn to the child’s relatives for the first choice of placement. An estimated 4% of all children in the U.S. are currently being raised by grandparents or other relatives.

With funding from SACF’s micro-grant, the Kinship Care Support Group of St. Joseph County will provide caregivers in our area the support and resources they need to aid with the emotional stress of raising children in this unique situation. Funding will allow the program to continue with its monthly group meetings, workshops, and access to educational resources.

Support Micro-Grants with a Gift!

The Sturgis Area Community Foundation is a $30M foundation committed to serving the charitable needs of our community and enriching the quality of life for all people in the Sturgis area. Through philanthropic services, strategic investments, and community leadership, Sturgis Area Community Foundation helps people support the causes they care about now and for generations.

For more information on grants or donor services, email sacf@sturgisfoundation.org.